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John-Anthony Disotto

19 September 2025

You decide.

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The iPhone Air comes with a single rear camera
(Image credit: Future)

I’ve been umming and aahing about which iPhone I should upgrade to ever since Apple unveiled the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air two weeks ago.

The thing is, I upgrade my iPhone every year (I know it’s a bad habit, but I can’t help but want that new smartphone feeling every September). Normally, it’s pretty clear which device to buy, and I usually go for a Pro model with all the bells and whistles.
This year, however, Apple has given consumers another option: a brand-new device that scratches that itch for something different, something innovative.

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Now, two weeks later, and launch day has arrived, and I did what any reckless adult would do… I bought both the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air.

So, instead of making a rational decision myself, I’m going to ask TechRadar readers to decide for me. I’ll give you some info on my priorities below, and you can choose what iPhone I’ll rock for the next year. Please choose wisely.
iPhone Air vs iPhone Pro
So… I need your help. I’ve purchased a 256GB Sky Blue iPhone Air and a 256GB Cosmic Orange iPhone Pro. I spent my own money, and once I decide which smartphone to pick, I’ll use Apple’s generous return policy for the other.

I’m upgrading from an iPhone 16 Pro Max (again, I definitely didn’t need to upgrade, but I’m a sucker for new technology), and this year I felt like something a bit different, hence the decision to opt for the smaller Pro and the brand-new Air.

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I value battery life a lot, and I’d say I’m a power user, not in terms of gaming, but I do a lot of work on my iPhone, and I spend a lot of time online. That said, I work at a desk and I always have access to a charger.
I also really care about ergonomics and want the comfiest iPhone because I often get hand cramps with the 16 Pro Max.
I own a Fujifilm X100VI, so photography isn’t as important, but I still like to snap pics with my smartphone, and I’m used to the Pro camera setup, so I’m not entirely sure what weaker smartphone cameras look and feel like.
I love the color orange, but the Air just looks amazing, and I always want to try new things and be an early adopter.
Help me out, TechRadar audience. Vote in the poll above, or via the TechRadar WhatsApp channel.
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John-Anthony Disotto

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Senior Writer AI

John-Anthony Disotto is TechRadar’s Senior Writer, AI, bringing you the latest news on, and comprehensive coverage of, tech’s biggest buzzword. An expert on all things Apple, he was previously iMore’s How To Editor, and has a monthly column in MacFormat. John-Anthony has used the Apple ecosystem for over a decade, and is an award-winning journalist with years of experience in editorial.

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